Cerebos
of Cerebos-Works, Ellison-place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1903)
of Cerebos Works, Greatham, Hartlepool
George Weddell developed a pourable salt (as distinct from the blocks of salt available previously) so it could be used as a table salt. The phosphate content was increased to c.3 percent making it less likely to adsorb moisture from the atmosphere. Initially made and sold by Mawson, Swan and Weddell.[1].
1893 Cerebos was advertised as "... ordered by hundreds of Doctors as everyday food. CEREBOS TABLE SALT White as snow. Does not cake. Sprinkles like ... CEREBOS TABLE SALT For Dainty Tables. ... CEREBOS TABLE SALT (Patent) Jars.[2]
1894 The company of Cerebos Salt Co Ltd (UK) was incorporated by George Weddell, later the Managing Director. "The company is being formed to acquire and work the British patent rights and trade-marks of invention consisting of improvements in table common salt, at present assigned to Mr George Weddell. The purchase will include the machinery, plant, and stock-in-trade on the premises, Picton Terrace, Newcastle. Cerebos salt, it is stated, has been only recently introduced to the public; it has met with growing demand, and in order to increase the facilities of production and extend the use the salt throughout the country, has been decided to transfer the business from private hands to company. Extensive and suitable premises have been secured..... etc." [3]
1898 Newcastle Directory entry - Cerebos Ltd., manufacturers of Cerebos Nutrative table salt, seraph refresher, Cerebos Nutrative baking powder, and pepsalia, Picton Terrace; offices 1 St Nicholas' Buildings.[4]
1903 Cerebos (1903) Ltd was registered on 28 November[5], to amalgamate the rights for all countries in Cerebos salt and various other specialities, and to acquire salt wells and works[6].[7] Directors; John Ashburner France, Merchant; Hugh Crawford Smith, M.P.; Thomas Hatfield Walker, Medical Practitioner; Alfred Nicholls, Ship Broker; Benjamin Tillier (France), Chemist; George Weddell, M.D. and Manufacturing Chemist. Manufacturers of Cerebos Table Salt, Cerebos Cooking Salt, Cerebos Baking Powder, Cerebos Pepper, Pepsalia Digestive Salt, Cerebos Health Salt ('Seraph Brand'), and other specialities.[8]
1904 Acquired the Greatham Salt and Brine Works near Hartlepool; the HQ of the business was moved there.
1907 Saxa Salt was launched as a lower cost brand of salt.
c1908 The Cerebos salt company invented the Bisto gravy powder product (a mixture of salt, flavourings and colourings), at its salt factory.
1919 Acquired Middlewich Salt Co in order to diversify supplies
1939 Acquired John Crampton and Co, manufacturer of Paxo stuffing.[9]
1950 Acquired Henry Seddon and Sons, salt manufacturers of Middlewich, Cheshire, with all their subsidiaries.[10]
1951 Acquired A. and R. Scott, maker of Scott's porridge oats.[11]
1959 Acquired Brand and Co.[12]
1962 Acquired J. A. Sharwood and Co, manufacturer of chutneys and curry sauces.[13]
1963 Acquired Hugon and Co, manufacturer of Atora suet.[14]. Acquired A. G. Linfield, producer of Chesswood mushrooms, which was renamed Linfields (Canners and Growers).
c.1964 A new subsidiary was set up, Brand-Sharwood Ltd, to bring together A. and R. Scott, Brand and Co, J. A. Sharwood and Co, and Linfield Canners[15]
1966 Agreement with Staveley Industries Ltd to merge their manufacturing and bulk vacuum salt interests[16] which was incorporated in new private company British Salt Ltd, one-quarter owned by Cerebos. A new salt works would be constructed in the Sandbach-Middlewich area.
1968 Acquired by Ranks Hovis McDougall in an agreed take-over.[17]. As well as being involved in agricultural products and raw materials, Cerebos owned brands such as Cerebos and Saxa salt, Bisto gravy, Paxo stuffing, Brands soups and pastes, Scott's porridge oats, Crampton gravy browning, Hugon (Atora) shredded suets, Sharwood's Indian, Chinese and SE Asian sauces, and Stamina pet foods[18].
2007 Acquired by Premier Foods as part of its purchase of RHM
2008 Saxa was the UK's favourite brand of salt.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ [1] Lets Look Again - history of Cerebos
- ↑ Newcastle Chronicle 02 September 1893
- ↑ Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette - 27 Apr 1894
- ↑ Ward's Directory of Newcastle-on-Tyne, 1898
- ↑ London Gazette 25 Dec 1903
- ↑ The Stock Exchange Year Book 1908
- ↑ Newcastle Daily Chronicle - Friday 04 December 1903
- ↑ Globe - Friday 04 December 1903
- ↑ The Times, May 13, 1939
- ↑ Winsford Chronicle - 4 Jan 1950
- ↑ The Times, June 26, 1951
- ↑ The Times, July 4, 1959
- ↑ The Times, May 9, 1963
- ↑ The Times, May 7, 1964
- ↑ The Times May 9, 1966
- ↑ The Times, Jan 20, 1967
- ↑ The Times, 4 July 1968
- ↑ The Times, 4 July 1968